Sen. Paul Faraci

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that, in Fiscal Year 2027 and thereafter, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall require that any convention and tourism bureau receiving a grant from the Local Tourism Fund that requires matching funds shall provide matching funds equal to no less than 25% of the grant amount (currently, no less than 40% of the grant amount). Amends the Hotel Operators' Occupation Tax Act and the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority Act. Makes changes concerning the distribution of moneys under those Acts. Effective immediately.

Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Subject to appropriation, requires the Board of Higher Education to create a school counselor stipend program. Provides that an educator preparation program shall notify the Board of all eligible students and eligible cooperating school counselors who qualify for the stipend program. Sets forth requirements for the disbursement of stipend funds under the program. Provides that an educator preparation program may not prohibit an eligible student from participating in the stipend program or from receiving a stipend from the stipend program. Requires an eligible cooperating school counselor who receives a stipend to complete specific training. Requires the Board to issue a report, in collaboration with the State Board of Education, evaluating the impact of the stipend program. Permits the Board to adopt emergency rules regarding the administration of the stipend program in certain circumstances. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act to make corresponding changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Creates the Special Education Workload Task Force to develop guidance on the calculation of workload limits for special educators. Sets forth the members. Provides for meetings and administrative support. Requires the Task Force to submit its guidance to the State Board of Education and the General Assembly on or before June 30, 2027. Dissolves the Task Force upon submission of the guidance. Repeals these provisions on June 30, 2028.

Amends the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act. Provides that the advice and technical assistance provided to State grant-making agencies by the Governor's Office of Management and Budget for the purpose of ensuring compliance with the Act shall include training for State agency staff. Sets forth requirements for the training. Provides that a State grant-making agency that awards a grant must issue the grant agreement associated with the grant within 60 days after the grant's effective date. Sets forth requirements for the grant agreement.

Maddy summarySB 2800 prevents local governments (cities and counties with home rule status) from regulating, licensing, or taxing sports wagering (sports betting). It explicitly states that these powers are exclusively held by the state of Illinois under the Sports Wagering Act. The bill denies local units the authority to impose fees, surcharges, or taxes on sports betting activities or related receipts. This change takes effect immediately upon the bill becoming law.

Amends the Illinois Act on the Aging. Provides that, subject to federal approval, on and after January 1, 2027, rates for in-home services shall be increased to $33.92 to sustain a minimum wage of $20.75 per hour for direct service workers. Requires rates in subsequent State fiscal years to be no lower than the rates put into effect upon federal approval. Provides that in order for a provider of in-home services to be eligible to receive the $33.92 rate, the provider must pay a minimum wage of $20.75 per hour to all direct service workers employed by the provider. Requires providers of in-home services to certify to the Department on Aging that they remain in compliance with the mandated wage increase for direct service workers. Requires each provider of in-home services to submit cost reports to the Department consistent with a specified administrative rule in order to be eligible for the $33.92 rate for in-home services. Provides that fringe benefits shall not be reduced in relation to the described rate increases. Requires the Department, beginning January 1, 2027, to ensure that each in-home service provider spends a minimum of 79% of the total payments the provider receives for home care aide services it furnishes under the Community Care Program on total compensation for direct service workers who furnish those services. Requires annual direct service worker cost reports from providers; and requires the Department to amend existing rules on financial reporting and minimum direct service worker costs to reflect the increase in the direct service worker spending requirement from 77% to 79%.

Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Requires the Department of Human Services to establish a Project Success pilot program that is aimed at improving child and family well-being by coordinating services that promote school success, local planning and decision-making, parental involvement, and prevention through partnerships between local school districts and community-based organizations and relevant State agencies. Provides that the pilot program shall operate in communities in East-Central Illinois and shall focus on increasing parents' involvement in their children's academic and emotional development by linking parents to community resources and services that include, but are not limited to, violence prevention, mentoring, tutoring, health education, and community safety. Requires participating communities to establish a local governing board to oversee and implement the coordination of needed services and supports. Contains provisions on the composition of the local governing boards and their duties, including the development of an evolving community action plan that guides their community's use of financial resources, time, staff, services, and other resources to improve families' access to basic health care, behavioral health services, and services that promote family stability and proper nutrition. Requires the Department to initially assist participating communities on how to coordinate services through school-community provider partnerships. Requires the Department to hire a Project Manager to oversee the day-to-day operations of Project Success and to assist participating communities in the development of their community actions plans. Requires the Project Manager to post annual reports on the success of the pilot program, issues or barriers to community implementation, and recommendations. Makes implementation of Project Success subject to appropriations and private funding or resources. Amends the State Finance Act. Adds the Project Success Pilot Program Fund to the list of State special funds.

Amends the Illinois Lottery Law. Provides that if a scratch-off game is discontinued, then the Department of the Lottery shall offer a special instant scratch-off game for the benefit of the Illinois Developmental Disabilities Services Scratch-Off Fund for developmental disabilities services under the Independent Service Coordination agencies. Provides that the game shall commence as soon practical after the discontinuation and shall operate for 5 years. Requires that the net revenue from the developmental disabilities services scratch-off game be deposited into the Illinois Developmental Disabilities Services Scratch-Off Fund. Allows the Department to adopt rules to implement the provisions. Creates the Illinois Developmental Disabilities Services Scratch-Off Fund. Makes conforming changes in the Department of Human Services Act and the State Finance Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Act. Provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of law, moneys in the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Fund may not be appropriated, assigned, or transferred to another State fund. Effective immediately.

Creates the Build Illinois Homes Tax Credit Act. Provides that owners of qualified low-income housing developments are eligible for credits against the taxes imposed by the Illinois Income Tax Act or taxes, penalties, fees, charges, and payments imposed by the Illinois Insurance Code. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act and the Illinois Insurance Code to make conforming changes. Effective immediately.